Shoppach acquired to bolster Mets behind plate

August 15, 2012|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

MLB Team Report - New York Mets - INSIDE PITCH

Compared to their peers around the league, Mets catchers have done almost nothing at the plate this season. Josh Thole, Rob Johnson and Mike Nickeas entered Tuesday's play with a combined .588 OPS, the fourth-worst mark in baseball.

So the Mets moved Tuesday to do something about it, acquiring veteran backstop Kelly Shoppach from the Red Sox for a player to be named after placing a waiver claim on Shoppach.

Though Thole started behind the plate in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Reds at Great American Ball Park, Shoppach should officially join the team in time for Wednesday's game. When he does, he will establish a platoon with Thole, starting regularly against left-handed starting pitchers.

The idea is that in addition to improving the Mets' inadequate catching situation, Shoppach should improve the team's overall showing against lefty pitching. Despite his .250 batting average and .313 on-base percentage this season, Shoppach slugged an impressive .500 for the Red Sox against left-handers -- actually 30 points below his career slugging percentage versus southpaws.

The move should put an end to Johnson's time in Flushing. Thole's temporary backup was with the Mets in large part because of his history with rookie Matt Harvey, whom he caught regularly in Triple-A Buffalo earlier this year. Nickeas filled the role of backup catcher earlier this season, but the Mets recently optioned him to Buffalo because of his ineffectiveness -- a .168 average, for starters -- on offense.

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MLB Team Report - New York Mets - NOTES, QUOTES

--The Mets are considering using a six-man rotation down the stretch in order to give extra rest to RHP Chris Young and LHP Johan Santana, who are pitching this season for the first time since undergoing major shoulder surgeries. Using a six-man rotation so would also allow the Mets to stretch out contributions from RHP Matt Harvey, who is on a strict innings limit in his rookie season.

--CF Andres Torres entered Monday's play with two triples in his previous four games, tying him for 10th in the National League with five on the season. Torres, who finished 0-for-3, also came into the game hitting .301 with a .393 on-base percentage dating to July 1.

--C Kelly Shoppach was acquired from the Red Sox on a waiver claim Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named. Shoppach will enter into a catching platoon with Josh Thole, according to manager Terry Collins, starting regularly behind the plate against left-handed pitchers. The Mets plan to activate Shoppach on Wednesday.

--RHP Chris Young stranded 12 men on base, allowing eight hits and four walks but not allowing any of those runners to cross home plate. Because he threw 105 pitches over 5 2/3 innings, the result was a no-decision. But it was also Young's first scoreless effort of the year.

--3B David Wright endured a rough game on offense Tuesday against the Reds, striking out in each of his first two at-bats and getting caught stealing to end the eighth. Wright is in danger of batting below .300 for the second consecutive month after hitting no worse than .340 in each of the season's first three months.

BY THE NUMBERS: 30th -- The Mets' major league rank in bullpen ERA. The Reds, whom they are playing this week, rank first.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Dan and I have burned up some pads and paper here in the last few days." -- Manager Terry Collins on his and pitching coach Dan Warthen's considerations of a six-man rotation.

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MLB Team Report - New York Mets - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--LHP Tim Byrdak (torn anterior capsule in left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 3. He will undergo season-ending surgery.

--RHP Dillon Gee (right shoulder surgery) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 8, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 7. He underwent a surgical procedure July 10 to dissolve a blood clot in his shoulder, then had another operation July 13 to replace a piece of a damaged artery. He hopes to return in September.

--RHP Mike Pelfrey (swollen right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 4. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery May 1.